Welcome one and all once more to another installment of Sean's Wrestling reviews! With only days left until the 2016 Royal Rumble match, I thought it would be a nice idea to review an old Royal Rumble PPV. This PPV was chosen at random so it looks like I will be taking a look at the 1993 Royal Rumble. Let's waste no more time and indulge on some old WWF Action!
The Steiner Brothers vs The Beverly Brothers
Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan welcome us to the broadcast which is live from Sacramento California. Our opening match is The Steiners vs The Beverly Brothers. The Beverly Brothers enter first with their magnificent capes and pants which are covered in stars(Yeah they look ridiculous but what are you going to do about it?). The Steiners make their way to the ring with Howard Finkel referring to the two as only "Rick and Scott" which makes Heenan quip that Finkel is a moron. Bill Alfonso is the referee for this match as Scott out wrestles Beau of the Beverly Brothers with wristlocks and hiptosses. Beau complains Steiner is pulling the hair before catching him off guard and slamming him head first into the mat. Beau sends Scott off the ropes who reverses the move into a tilt to whirl slam with Beau powdering to the outside to recuperate from his injuries. Blake tags in and smacks Rick Steiner in the face who is standing on the apron, drawing him into the ring before the referee removes Rick Steiner. The Beverly Brothers are beginning to frustrate the Steiners with their cheap shots and time wasting. Scott tags in Rick who returns the favor to The Beverly Brothers by knocking Beau off the apron to the floor. Blake and Rick take turns powerslamming each other with Rick gaining the advantage before Scott enters the ring with a belly to belly suplex. Beau illegally enters the ring and clotheslines Scott Steiner(How deliciously heelish of him). Beau smashes the lower back of Scott Steiner as they use the lower back as a weakspot. Quick tags are frequent between the Beverly Brothers as they continue to assault Scott and his lower back. Behind the referee's back, Blake chokes Scott with the piece of rope the wrestlers clutch onto when waiting for a tag.(I do not know the correct terminology but I am surprised I haven't seen this move used more often!). Blake applies the boston crab as Beau assaults Steiner who is trying to escape the submission. Beau enters the ring, hoping to suplex Scott Steiner who reverse the suplex in an act of desperation. Beau cuts Scott off and looks to hit a big back body drop. As he lowers his head, Scott nails him with a double underhook suplex. Both men look to make the tag, Scott reaches his corner and Rick is in the match, the crowd are cheering like crazy. A big back body drop and a nasty looking german suplex are on the menu for Blake while Beau is knocked down by the power of Rick Steiner. Beau shoves Rick into Scott who is now the legal man and Scott unloads fists on top of Beau's head. However, Blake comes from behind and props Scott onto his shoulders as Beau signals for a clothesline from the top. Unfortunately for Beau, he crashes and burns as Scott ducks the clothesline and victory rolls Blake 1... 2... kickout by Blake who sends Scott into the ropes who reverses and hits a Frankesteiner for the victory. I really liked this match, the crowd were into the match and The Beverly Brothers made The Steiners look great in this match. The heels got their moves in and drew heat while also feeding for the faces' comeback. It was a great opener to The Royal Rumble.
Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty(WWF Intercontinental Title Match)
A promo package tells you all you need to know. These two were The Rockers, one of the most popular tag teams in the WWF. They had some difficult moments but they had patched things up on Brutus The Barber Beefcake's Barber Shop and they lived happily ever after. But no, it was not meant to be as Michaels superkicked Jannetty before throwing him throw a glass window and ripping up a picture of the two, signifying the end of the tag team and their friendship. Marty's return is shown as he attacks Michaels before Michaels throws Sensational Sherri in front of himself like a true heel and Jannetty smashes a mirror over her head. Sensational Sherri makes her way to ringside as the announcers question whether she is supporting Michaels who The Brain claims she loves or Marty Jannetty the man who did not use her as a human shield. Jannetty enters the ring as we wait the arrival of the champion. Michaels enters the arena looking full of himself, he really was a great heel and I wish he played the role more often than he got to. Anyways, Michaels motions Sherri to his corner but she refuses to move as Michaels strips everything off himself for once. Michaels walks up to Jannetty and tells him exactly what he thinks of him. Michaels is horrified to realize Jannetty was not just going to stand there and take it like a man as he drops Michaels with a right hand who escapes to the outside. Jannetty gives chase and makes Michaels pay with an atomic drop leaving Michaels in serious pain. A knee lift knocks Michaels to the outside, who is jerked back into the ring and clotheslined out again by Jannetty. Sherri looks at Michaels on the ground with a conflicted look on her face. She doesn't know whether to watch Michaels suffer or help him to his feet (Good storytelling right there). Jannetty dives through the ropes, he is all over Michaels who cannot catch a break in this match. Jannetty goes for a dive one too many times as Michaels smashes Jannetty in the ribs before ramming him into the turnbuckle shoulder first two times. Shoulderbreaker by Michaels who is relentless in his assault on Jannetty's left arm. Michaels slams Jannetty onto the floor while the crowd cheers for Jannetty to return to the ring. Michaels goes high risk with a double axe handle on the injured arm of Jannetty. Close ups are shown of Jannetty wincing in pain, giving the fans an idea of the pain in which he is suffering. Michaels executes an armbar on Jannetty who fires back but it is Michaels who remains in control thanks to a single arm ddt. Scoop slam by Michaels who ascends to the second rope, looking to hit something but Jannetty places his foot into Michaels face. Michaels recovers to send Jannetty into the ropes but Jannetty has other plans as he reverses Michaels and sends Michaels's shoulder crashing into the turnbuckle. Both men are down as the referee continues to count, they exchange punches as Jannetty hits a big clothesline but Michaels throws Jannetty to the floor. Jannetty suplexes Michaels to the floor! Sherri walks over to Shawn as it looks as if she has chosen his side but she slaps the taste out of Michaels' mouth. Michaels falls victim to a back suplex from Jannetty and kicks out at 2 and a half. Jannetty punishes Shawn resulting in a massive powerslam and Jannetty is going to fly. Jannetty looks for a dive, Michaels moves out of the way, Jannetty lands on his feet and big ddt this one could be over!1...2... and kickout by Michaels. Michaels is sent into the corner, jumps over Jannetty, looks for a superkick but Jannetty ducks and hits a superkick of his own. Another kickout by Michaels, this is exciting these last few minutes have made the crowd go absolutely insane. They all want Marty to win the belt. Michaels hits the referee as Jannetty grabs a full nelson on Michaels, Sherri enters the ring. Sherri takes her shoe off and inadvertently strikes Jannetty in the face. Michaels threatens Sherri in the ring as she has no idea of what to do, Michaels backs away from Sherri, picking up the carcass of Marty Jannetty. Sweet Chin Music to Jannetty and your winner and still champion... Shawn Michaels. I loved this match it was really fun seeing these two battle one another. They were given the time to tell a story and they told a great story. I was interested to see who's side Sherri would pick, I was interested to know whether Marty could gain revenge on Michaels or whether Michaels could weasel his way out with his championship. As previously mentioned, the last few minutes of this match were great and I am hoping there are more matches like this to come on this PPV.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Big Bossman
Bigelow wastes no time by assaulting Bossman from behind and crushing him with a body splash in the corner. Trash talk from Bigelow to The Big Bossman who is agony on the canvas. Bossman is thrown to the outside as Bigelow continues taunting his opponent. Bossman struggles to make it back into the ring, Bigelow attempts a clothesline but Bossman fires back with his own clothesline knocking the other big man off his feet. Repeated punches from the Bossman who is showing no mercy. Back drop by Bigelow who looks to be in control but Bossman had Bigelow well scouted as he moves out of the way of a headbutt attempt by Bigelow. Bossman signals for a clothesline over the top rope but Bigelow sends Bossman crashing over the top rope. Bigelow continues working the back, pausing to taunt the fans. Bigelow squeezes the life out of Bossman before Bossman escapes before Bigelow hits a stun gun. Quick cover and there is a two count. Bigelow repeats the spot of squeezing the Bossman which looks like a weird form of hugging. Bossman blocks a suplex but Bigelow is relentless in his attack of the lower back of The Bossman. Another headbutt to the lower back, stomps and punches are focused on the lower back also. Bossman shows signs of life as he hits a combination of moves, punches, back body drops, and clotheslines. It looks as Bossman is going to overcome Bigelow, sending him into the turnbuckle but Bigelow comes flying out of the corner with a huge clothesline and follows it up with a diving headbutt for the 1..2..3. This was ok, that is all I have to say.
Razor Ramon vs Bret Hart(WWF Championship Match)
I am excited for this match, I forgot that these two wrestled for the world title. This can only be a good match right? right? Razor Ramon in the weeks prior had attacked Bret's younger brother Owen. Bret places his glasses on a child at ringside before Razor tosses his toothpick at the young boy. A slugfest begins with Razor taking control of Bret. Ramon misses a knee in the corner and pays for it as Bret goes to work on Ramon's leg. Figure Four leglock by Bret but Ramon reaches the bottom rope. Hart continues working the leg of Ramon who is really struggling in this match. Ramon sends Hart flying into the ringpost, damaging the ribs of Hart in the process. Backbreakers by Ramon to further injure Hart's ribs. Trademark fallaway slam by Ramon who continues to stomp the ribs of Bret Hart. Abdominal stretch applied by Razor which Hart reverses with an abdominal stretch of his own. Razor reverses as the two men battle for control until Razor knocks down Bret with a shoulder block. Hart hits a cross body followed by a sunset flip for a two count. Ramon executes a camel clutch and then a bearhug to squeeze the life out of Bret Hart. Hart does not give up, bites Ramon and sends him flying over the top. Suicide dive by Hart takes out Razor Ramon. Rolling back into the ring, Hart grabs Razor in the corner and mounts him for punches. Razor shrugs off Hart, but Hart will not quit as he continues to punch the face of The Bad Guy. Inverted Atomic Drop and a clothesline for two by Hart. Backbreaker and a second rope clothesline by Hart for two again. Running bulldog and it is a two count once more. Hart decides to finish it with the sharpshooter but Razor has other plans. Using the referee as a shield, Razor escapes the submission, regains his vertical base and goes after Hart's ribs. Hart lands a back suplex, setting up Ramon for the second rope elbow drop. Ramon plants his foot firmly in the face of Hart who crumbles in a heap on the canvas. It's time for The Razor's Edge but no, Hart counters into a backslide 1..2.. Kick out by Razor! Razor continues kicking Hart who is on his knees, Hart counters a kick attempt into a pin and then into the sharpshooter in the center of the ring. The Bad Guy had nowhere to go and he submitted to the sharpshooter. A great match between these two great wrestlers, I wish Razor sold the leg more as the match continued but that is a minor nitpick from me. The action was good, the psychology was good and it was a great title match, both men should be proud of their performances. We also have the debut of Lex Luger as The Narcissist which is cool , Heenan puts Luger over with his commentary as Luger does a pose down in front of mirrors. Another cool little moment from this show!
The Royal Rumble Match
1-10: Thirty men enter and only one can win and headline Wrestlemania IX. Strange introduction as a Julius Caesar and Cleopatra sell the event in full Roman costume. I understand why they did it but I felt it was unnecessary and I would have preferred if Howard Finkel explained everything. Ric Flair is the number 1 entrant, having one the event from number 3 the previous year. (I wonder how he will do in this match considering his bizarre treatment from the WWF). Bob Backlund enters the ring at number 2. Backlund beats down Flair for two minutes straight. Papa Shango is number 3, and he is eliminated first by Ric Flair(That was fast!). Flair and Backlund continue to fight as another competitor makes his way to the ring. Ted Dibiase enters at number 4, he teams up with Flair to decimate Backlund. Brian Knobbs of The Nasty Boys enters at number 5, and he runs straight for Dibiase and Flair. Virgil is number 6 in the rumble. Knobbs looks to eliminate Dibiase but Dibiase pulls the rope down as Knobbs sends himself over the top with his own momentum. Jerry Lawler enters the rumble at number 7. Max Moon comes in at number 8. Moon is eliminated after missing a spinning heel kick on Lawler in the corner. Tenryu enters at number 9 and that is just awesome seeing Mr. Puroresu kick ass in the WWF. The 10th entrant is Mr. Perfect as Heenan is going wild on commentary fearing for Ric Flair's safety.
11-20: Skinner enters the rumble at number 11. Flair and Perfect are battling all over the ring. Perfect eliminates Flair with a clothesline. Koko B Ware enters at number 12(yay?). Skinner is dropkicked over the top by Mr. Perfect. Samu is in at number 13, Berzerker is in at number 14, Perfect eliminates Lawler with a backdrop before getting eliminated by Dibiase with assistance from Lawler. Perfect and Lawler brawl on the outside after their respective eliminations. Virgil is eliminated off camera(Poor Bastard). The Undertaker is in at number 15, quickly eliminating Tenryu and Samu from the rumble. Number 16 is Terry Taylor, Dibiase dumps out Koko and Taylor as Undertaker dumps out Dibiase. Giant Gonzales enters illegally as Undertaker eliminates the Berzerker. Gonzales eliminates The Undertaker as Damien Demento and IRS enter at 17 and 18 respectively. Tatanka is number 19 as The Undertaker recovers from his attack by Gonzales. Jerry Saggs makes his way to the ring as number 20, Backlund is still in the ring after entering at number 2.
21-30: Typhoon enters at number 21, number 22 is Fatu (Rikishi). The ring is full of low to lower mid card guys so you can sense they will all soon be annihilated by a new entrant. Earthquake enters at number 23, eliminating his partner Typhoon. Carlos Colon makes his entrance at number 24. Colon eliminates Demento as Tito Santana is number 25. Fatu is eliminated after missing a clothesline on Backlund. Number 26 is Rick The Model Martel, Earthquake eliminates IRS, Yokozuna enters at number 27. Tatanka is eliminated by Yokozuna, Colon is eliminated by Yokozuna, and Yokozuna eliminates Earthquake with a belly to belly suplex. Owen Hart enters at number 28, Repo man is number 29. Randy Savage enters at number 30. Yokozuna eliminates Tito Santana, Owen Hart eliminates Jerry Saggs, Yokozuna eliminates Owen and Savage eliminates Repo Man.
We are down to our last four: Yokozuna, Randy Savage, Bob Backlund and Rick Martel. Backlund eliminates Martel with a right hand. Backlund turns his attention to Yokozuna but ends up being eliminated as Yokozuna is just too strong. Savage and Yokozuna are the final two, Savage is taking the beating of a lifetime. Savage hits two double axe handles as Yokozuna takes to a knee. Superkick from Yokozuna to Savage as Savage lays limp in the middle of the ring. Yokozuna uses a hip attack in the corner on Savage, he tries for a second time but Savage dodges the attack and Yokozuna falls to the canvas. Savage drops the elbow and pins Yokozuna. Yokozuna kicks out and sends Savage flying over the ropes for the win. This ending was awful. Why would Savage pin Yokozuna? It is not his first Rumble, he knows the rules. Secondly, they did not even make it look like he was attacking Yokozuna. Monsoon blurts out on commentary there are no pins in the Royal Rumble so even the commentators make Savage look idiotic for attempting a pin in the rumble. They do not try to cover it up by saying Savage is trying to punch Yokozuna or keep him grounded, it is ridiculous and a bad ending to an ok Rumble match. The roster was not as stacked as the previous year and they were not many memorable moments or feuds in this rumble. A highlight was Backlund's appearance where initially, the crowd were not into Backlund but by the end of the night, they were booing when he was eliminated.
No comments:
Post a Comment